The poetry of the classics of Russian literature is the key to understanding oneself, to finding the right answers to the questions posed. Among the poets, we can distinguish those who in their own work were similar to each other and those who were real antipodes. The first ones help to better understand and discover certain topics. The second, thanks to the game based on contrasts, due to the dissimilarity of characters, views, moods, makes us ask newer and newer questions. Today, this article will offer a comparative analysis of poems of precisely different authors: A.S. Pushkin and M.Yu. Lermontov, as well as F.I. Tyutcheva and A.A. Feta.
"The Prophet" A.S. Pushkin
In order to reflect objectively existing differences in the work of Pushkin and Lermontov, it is necessary to consider the direction of their poetic activity separately from each other. The most famous poems of both poets, dedicated to the same subject, where the difference is most evident, can help in this.
So, the famous âProphetâ by Alexander Sergeyevich, beginning with the words âI was dragged by a spiritual thirst in the gloomy desert ...â touches on the theme of poetry and the poetâs place in the world of people, like Lermontovâs poem of the same name. However, Pushkin's work was written earlier - in 1826 during the exile to Mikhailovskoye, while Mikhail Yuryevich created his own âProphetâ only in 1841.
The poem of Alexander Sergeyevich is imbued with the idea of ââthe transformation of an ordinary person into a poet - a kind of mouthpiece of the divine voice and his will on earth, sacrificing himself in the name of tireless enlightenment and inspiring humanity to good, right things. Metamorphoses of rebirth are painful and unpleasant, but to endure them is the sacred duty of the "prophet." In the precept, the lord points out to the protagonist: âBurn the hearts of people with a verb!â Here it is, the main purpose of the poet according to Pushkin.
The poem is written in the ode genre, with a sublime and solemn syllable, in order to magnify the importance of the important mission assigned to the poet from above. Numerous epithets (âspiritualâ, âidle wordsâ, âpropheticâ, âtremulousâ), metaphors (âburn verbâ, âsky shudderâ), comparisons (âI lay like a corpse in the desertâ, âhow at the frightened eagle "). On the whole, the poem has a certain halo of divinity, an atmosphere of biblical truth, which is also emphasized due to the numerous Old Slavisms.
"The Prophet" M.Yu. Lermontov
In contrast to the poem A.S. Pushkin, the work of Mikhail Yuriev, a comparative analysis with which will be carried out later, has a completely different orientation. Here the poet is not a prophet, but an outcast despised by society. He, just as in the âProphetâ of 1826, was born to help people, but they no longer need them. Old people call him a self-righteous âfoolâ, who supposedly naively decided that it was the Lord who spoke with his mouth, the children bypassed him. The poetâs young, suffering soul is lonely, and his fate is tragic. Only nature accepts it, because the creator himself took care of this: among the oak forests and fields, under the shimmering sparkle of stars, the poet can find understanding.
The genre of the "Prophet" Lermontov is a lyrical confession. Written by Pushkin with the same four-legged iambic as Pushkin, the poem here remains as if unsaid, breaking off as if in a half-word, as in Alexander Sergeyevich, although all the main thing has already been said.
Now it is time to examine directly the comparative analysis of the "Prophet" by Pushkin and Lermontov. What is the difference between both works from each other?
Comparative analysis of poems by Pushkin and Lermontov
As can be seen from the above analysis, the data of the poems of Lermontov and Pushkin differ significantly, if not in form, then in genre and content. Although the lyrical hero of both works is a rejected and lonely member of society, he still has the hope of Alexander Sergeyevich to change the situation, as he hears clear instructions from heaven, sees an angel appearing to him as a messenger, and is consolidated in the knowledge that his work holy.
A comparative analysis of the âProphetâ by Pushkin and Lermontov also reveals that the lyrical hero from the Lermontov poem, as if it was a continuation of what Alexander Sergeyevich stopped at, is tragic and even lost. Signs that appear to him in the form of obedience to nature are indirect and cannot be considered in the context of God's direct message. From here comes a total, absolute loss of connection with the people, which we will not meet with Alexander Sergeyevich: the Lermontov poet became confused, lost a guiding star and forced to wander in the dark.
Thus, a comparative analysis of the "Prophet" by Pushkin and Lermontov proves how radically different the worldviews of poets were. Their dissimilar views are reflected literally in any of the products of the works of both authors. At the same time, writers complement each other very colorful.
Creativity A.A. Feta
In order to conduct another comparative analysis, one should turn to the activities of Athanasius Afanasevich Fet. An innovator in poetry, this man today occupies a special place among the classics of Russian literature. Poetry of Fet is an example of the most exquisite and subtle lyrics, combining the charm of form and depth of content. The main thing for Afanasy Afanasevich was the expression of the most insignificant impulses of the soul and emotional state, in connection with which he constantly beat the form, liberating and changing it in a different manner to convey through it all shades of feelings. The nature of Fet is maximally humanized, which is achieved through multiple personifications: âsobbingâ grasses, âwidowed azureâ, a forest awakened by âevery branchâ appear before the reader.
It is curious that one of the most famous poems of A.A. Feta, entitled âWhisper, timid breathing ...â is written completely without the use of verbs, although, it would seem, this part of the speech is leading in any language. Apparently, Fet decided to ignore or refute this statement and rejected the action. By using only adjectives and nouns, he created a real anthem of nature and love.
Style and Poetics F.I. Tyutcheva
Unlike Fet, Tyutchevâs poems are deeply philosophical lyrics. They do not have the ease inherent in the works of Afanasy Afanasyevich, but psychologism is revealed, which manifests itself even in the image of landscapes. Favorite techniques of the poet is the antithesis (opposition), as well as the use of numerous verbs and unionless constructions that create dynamism of action and activity of the development of the plot within the work. Tyutchev's verses reveal no less attention than Fetâs attention to the personâs personality and the smallest movements of his soul.
Comparative analysis of poems and styles of Fet and Tyutchev
If we talk about poets in the aspect of comparison, it should be noted that for Tyutchev more than for Fet, the manifestation of tragic notes and motives is characteristic. It is likely that this is due to the biography of the writer, who had the experience of a great but sad love for a woman named Elena Alexandrovna Denisyeva, whose connection was considered criminal in the eyes of society and was constantly condemned. The poems of the Denisievsky Cycle, for example, Silentium !, âOh, how deadly we love ...â and others, are the most touching in the poetâs work, but at the same time they do not lose hopeless sorrow.
On the work of A.A. Feta love also left a serious imprint. Loved a girl from a poor family, Fet was poor and could not offer her anything but his feelings. However, the girl soon died tragically. Fet carried the memory of her through her whole life and her own work, but, unlike Tyutchev, these memories evoked bright thoughts and emotions in him, which as a result led to the creation of inspiring, life-filled poems like âI came to you with greetingsâ , May Night and others.